Button feeding attachment



Nov. 8, 1949 w. R. MCDANIEL 2,487,352

BUTTON FEEDING ATTACHMENT Filed July 3, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

\03 Wi11iam R. MZnam 21 NW0 8, 1949 w. R. M DANIEL BUTTON' FEEDING ATTACHMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1945 W111i am, R.M1.]IIINGEF{ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUTTON FEEDING ATTACHMENT William R. McDaniel, Englewood, Tenn.

Application July 3, 1945, Serial No. 603,009

'7 Claims, (01. 112-113) This invention relates to sewing machines and more particularly to a button feeding attachment for sewing machines.

In the machine sewing of buttons, it is important, for speed and accuracy, that the buttons be fed right-side-up and that they be positioned for sewing so that, when sewn, no button of a row of sewn buttons is out of line.

An important object of the invention is to provide a button feeder which will accurately feed manipulation of the buttons.

Another important object is to provide a button sewing attachment, having means to manipulate the button so that, no matter if it has four eyes, instead of two, it will be accurately positioned and will not be out of line with respect to the other buttons of its row.

Still another important object is to provide a hopper-feed button sewing attachmenuthe hopper of which may be readily inverted, in order to quickly empty it, as when changing to another color or style of button.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in this specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine to which the novel button feeder is attached.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof, at the drive means end of the machine.

Figure 3 is a top plan of a portion of the attachment, removed from the machine.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section upon substantially the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are vertical transverse sections upon substantially their respective lines of Fig. 4.

Figures -'7 to 12 inclusive are views of various portions of the operating means of the button feeder; Figure 7 being a vertical longitudinalsection of a clutch assembly; Figure 8 a plan view of an operating link associated therewith and carrying a clutch-operating wedge; Figure 9 a plan vie-w of a rotating disc, connected with the link; Figure 10 a plan view of a cam-surfaced disc engaged by the wedge; Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through mechanism operatively connecting the means of Figures 7 to 10 inclusive with the mechanism of Figures 13 to 24 inclusive, and Figure 12 is a view, partly in section of a support for the mechanism of Figure 11,

Figures 13 to 24 are views of various portions of the button positioning and hold down means,

' buttons right-side-up, rapidly and without hand operated by the drive means of Figures 3 and 7 to 2 11, and dependent upon the feeding devices of Figures 4, 5 and 6; Figure'13 being substantially on the line l3l3 of Figure 3; Figure 14 a top plan of a portion of the means of Figure 13; Figure 15, a view somewhat like Figure 13 but showing a different position of some parts; Figures 16 and 17 front elevations of a button holder in two positions; Figure 18 an end elevation of the button holder; Figure 19 a perspective view of a portion of the button holder; Figures 20 to 23 inclusive, are front elevations of portions of the holder of Figures 16 and 17; and Figure 24 a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the means of Figures 3, 13 and 19, showing their relationship one with another.

, In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the button sewing machine, generally designated as A, is mounted upon a Support B and is operated by a drive means C. A conventional button is shown at D,

while the novel button feeding attachment is designated as E and comprises a button hopper 20, means 2] to deliver buttons, right-side-up, from the hopper 20 to a button positioning and hold down means 22, and a power take off 23 from the drive means C to the hopper 20 and to the means 2|.

The button sewing machine A is of conventional construction including a somewhat L-shaped hollow bracket 25, supporting or enclosing much of the sewing mechanism 26 of the sewing machine for cooperating with a.- hollow work-support, 21 carrying the remainder of the sewing mechanism 26. The bracket 25 carries a driven pulley 28 secured to a drive shaft; (not shown) within the bracket 25, which driveshaft is operatively connected with the needle 29 of the sewing mechanism, for vertical reciprocation of the needle. This bracket 25 also pivotally supports a conven tional lift lever 30. Carried by the work support 21 is a conventional shuttle (not shown) being part of the sewing mechanism 26.

Carrying the machine A is a suitable conventional support B, which may also carry the drive means C. The latter may include an ordinary electric motor 35 having a drive pulley 36 about which is a belt 31 and which belt 31 extends to and about the driven pulley 28. The support B may also carry a foot pedal 38 with an upwardlyextending link 39 therefrom operatively connected to adjacent one end 40 of the lift lever 30.

A conventional button D, is shown by way of 3 illustration, having an upper or outer flat face 42, a convex under face 43 and four holes or eyes 44 extending from face to face.

Now, as for the novel button feeding attachment E. The button hopper 20 thereof, shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 4 is, preferably, a cup-shaped container having an upwardly opening mouth 45 and a restricted exit 46 opening into a downwardly and forwardly extending, substantially' J-shaped button passageway 41., the walls 48 and 49 of which may be mostly circular in transverse cross section. However, while the. walls 48 nearest the hopper and preferably integral therewith, are stationary, the walls 49 rotate and thus provide for a much better feed movement of the buttons than if the walls 48 and 49 were both stationary; The end of the. wall 48, farthest from the hopper 20 is provided with a flange 50, which cooperates with a flange carried at one end of a circular gear-accommodating housing 52 disposed about the peripheral portion of one end 53 of the wall 49. Carried by this peripheral portion are radially extending gear teeth 54 which mesh with the teeth of a worm gear 55, also carried in the housing 52', with its axis of rotation normal to that of the axis of rotation of the wall 49. Any suitable means may be provided to detachably couple the flanges 5.0 and 5! together, as by the screws 56, extending into screw threaded openings inthese flanges. The housing 52 is provided witha tubular extension 51 accommodating a short shaft 58 carrying the Worm gear 55 and the end portion of a shaft 59, the two shafts being detachably coupled together, as by a splined connection within the extension 51 The free end of the extension 51 is provided with exterior screw threads to cooperate with a nut 6| and about the extension 51 is the tubular portion of a bracket 62 secured as will be subsequently described.

The means 2| to deliver buttons, right-side-up, from the hopper 29 to the button positioning and holddown means 22, includes the outwardly flaring open end portion 65 of the rotating wall 49. This portion 65 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart depressions or concavities 66' and, between each two concavities 66, is a spacer section 61. Contacting the outer faces of the-spacer sections 61 and secured thereto is a circular cover plateor disc 68. This may be secured to the spacer sections 61 by screws 69-. With this construction of flared end portion 65, concavities 66 therein, spacer sections 61 and cover plate 68 there is provided a number of slots leading from the button passageway 41 to exteriorly of the walls 48 and 49. The concavities 66 are not circular but more in the nature of slots, so that buttons D may slide over the concave faces of the concavities from the passageway 41 outwardly, by gravity, as the structure rotates. But the buttons D may enter the concavities 66 only in one position i. e., with their upper (outer) fiat faces 42 facing the cover plate 68, for only if they are so positioned will they be able to enter the concavities, since the convex faces 43 of the buttons will slide over the concavities 66, but the latter will not accommodate the fiat faces 42.

Associated with the assembly just described and forming another portion of the means 2l is a right-side-up button-receiving chute structure 19, which also serves as a bearing for the rotating assembly last described. since it supports the bracket 62. This structure 19 includes a U-shaped portion 1| which may be provided with a pair of perforated ears 12 for attachment to the sewing machine bracket 25 as by screws. One arm 13 of the U-shaped portion 1| (in the event the wall 49 rotates clockwise as shown) is provided with a button passageway 14 so disposed, as shown in Figure 5, that a button will drop, by gravity, into it from a concavity 66, cannot turn over, and will slide downwardly to a discharge mouth 15.

From the discharge mouth 15 an open chute or way 8.9 conducts the buttons, by gravity, to the button positioning and hold down means 22. This chute has side flanges 8| to confine the buttons and, associated with the chute 80 is a circular rotating brush 82, the bristles of which are adapted to. contact the buttons lightly and urge them downwardly and prevent jamming of the chute. This brush 82 is so positioned that its. axis of rotation extends across the chute 89 and its, bristles may enter the chute but will clear the means 22.

The button positioning and hold down means 22, is operatively connected with the lift lever 39 and the power take ofl means 23, as may be seen particularly in Figures 1, 3 and 7 to 11 inclusive.

First, referring to one connection with the lift lever 39. This includes a depending arm 85, pivotally connected at its upper end with the lift lever 30' and provided, at adjacent its lower end, with a longitudinally-extending slot 86 into which extends a connection pin 81'. This pin also extends into an arcuate slot 88 in a rotating disc 89. For convenience thepin 81 may be the shank of a bolt, with its head adapted to prevent the bolt from moving out of the arcuate slot 88 in one direction, and a nut on the end of the shank,

H outwardly of the arm 85, preventing movement in the other direction. The arm is so weighted that it never occupies a position at dead center with respect to. the arcuate slot 88. This is effected by providing a wedge member 89' which is adjustably carried at the inner side of the arm 85. The member 89 extends slightly more beyond one vertical edge (the left hand edge in Figure 8) of the arm 85 than beyond the other vertical edge; of the. arm, 85. This is efiected by providing a second longitudinally extending slot 90- therein intermediate the ends of the arm and several perforations in the bracket portion 9| of the wedge member. these being disposed to one side of the longitudinal medial line of the bracket portion 9iwith adjustment bolts 92 extending through the second slot 80 and the perforations, nuts being screwed upon the shanks of the bolts 92. This wedge; member 89, which has one fiat face 93 anda bevelledor' sloping face 94, in addition to the function mentioned, also effectsoperation of a clutch assembly 95 next to'be described.

The clutch; assembly 95 includes a pair of cooperatingclutch plates. 96 and 91, one, 91, fixed to a. shaft 98 and the other, 96, slidable toward and away from the plate 91, being urged into engagement with. the latter by the descent of the arm 85. carrying: the wedge member 89. A conventional expansion coil spring 99 maybe employed to urge the clutch plates apart when the plate 96 is: released by the wedge member, associated with a cam to be; subsequently described.

As a bearing for the plate 96 engaged by beveled face 94 of the wedge. member 89', there is provided a. second rotating disc I08, somewhat like they disc, 99 but having a. hub portion for conventionally'keying theplate 9.6 thereto so that the plate. 96 isslidablezalong the hub, and the disc 96 is not provided with aslot. This disc I00 is spaced fromrbut coupled to the disc 89 in any desired way as by a coupling pin |I adjacent the peripheries of the discs.

The bevelled face 94 of the wedge member 89 is adapted to engage the bevelled area I02 of the clutch plate 96. This area I02 extends over only a portion of the face of the plate 96 and constitutes an'arc of a circle. Thus, when the foot pedal 38 is depressed, the rod 39 will draw down the end 40 of the lift lever 30, and force the arm 85 downwardly carrying the wedge member 89 with it, and the latter will operate to force the clutch plate 96 into engagement with the clutch plate 91. Of course, the coil spring 99 forces the plate 96 away from the plate 91 when the former is not engaged by the wedge member 89'. The clutch plate 91 being mounted for rotation on the shaft 98 will impart rotation (not a complete rotation of 360 however) to the clutch plate 96 when they are in engagement, and this causes partial rotation of the discs I00 and 89, which movement of the disc 89 causes reciprocation of a link I03, pivoted, adjacent one end to the pin NH and, adjacent its other end to a pivot I04 carried by a short downwardly-extending crank arm I05 (shown more particularly in Figure 11) fixedly connected to one end of a substantiallymorizontally-disposed extension I06,

I08 of the extension I00 may be screw threaded,

with the screw threads thereof loosely cooperating with the screw threads of a socket carried by a small bracket I09 depending from the L-shaped bracket 25 of the machine A. A coil spring H0 about the extension I06 has one end secured to the arm I05 and its other end III secured to the bracket I09 as in Figure 12. Rotation of the extension I06 urged by the assembly 85 to I05, in one direction coils the spring III! and partial uncoiling of this tends to cause rotation of the extension in the other direction when the assembly 85 to I05 itself becomes inoperative.

At its lower end, the long arm I01 extends into a slot H2 in a sliding member II3, shown more particularly in Figure 14, as well as in Figures 11 and 13. Preferably, this sliding member H3 is narrow and elongated and carries, at its upper face, a preferably elongated leaf sprin or vibrating member II4, as by being attached, at its inner end II5 to the sliding member II 3 by the screw III; and being free at its opposite end In, which overhangs the outer end I I8 of the sliding member II 3. This and H1 may be provided with a slot II9 to receive the neck portion of a button positioning means I20, preferably comprising a head portion I2I overhanging the slot I I9, a neck portion I22, accommodated in the slot H9 and a foot or base portion I23 engaging the lower face of the leaf spring II4. Extendingv downwardly from the lower face of the foot portion I23 are button eye-engaging prongs or pins I24. Extending radially from the head portion I2I are two arms I25 with their axes substantially coincident, and the head portion I2I also carries a small hook I26, extending upwardly. A

retraction coil spring I21 plays an important part in the assembly, and extends from the hook I26 to a hook I28, secured to the sliding member I I3, which hook I28 extends upwardly through a small slot in the leaf spring I I4. This coil spring I21 causes the leaf spring II 4 to take, normally,

the position shown in Figure 13. It should be ,noted that the body of the hook I28 has two .:functions, one, as a support for .one end of the member thereto having a cam face I44. Above the clamps coilspring I21 and, the other, to prevent transverse movement of the leaf spring I I4. It is now obvious that, by unhooking the spring from the hook I26, the button positioning means I20 may be removed and a similar means, but with the prongsor pins I24 spaced farther apart, or with more or fewer prongs or pins, substituted. In the example shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15, a four-prong means I20 is contemplated.

In addition to normally retaining the leaf spring II4 as described, the coil spring I21 retains the button positioning means against sliding out the slot H9 and assists in oscillation of the latter as will be subsequently described.

This sliding member II3 slides in an elongated guideway I 30, having upper flanges I 3| to retain the sliding member II3 against upward movement. The guideway I30 extends normal to and merges into the lower open end of the chute through which the buttons D slide. Since the guideway is provided with an opening I3I' at the mouth of the chute 80, the buttons D will slide from the chute into the guideway. Closely adjacent this chute mouth I3I as may be seen in Figures 13 and 24, the flanges I3I are upwardly arched, as at I 32, and the leaf spring I I4 provided with a pair of short laterally extending arms I33 so'that, as the sliding member H3 is urged forwardly, the arms I33 will slide over these upwardly-arched portions of the flanges I3I and elevate the free forward end II! of the leaf spring, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 13, but, as the arms I33 leave the upwardly-arched portions, the end II1 will move downwardly again, just as the button positioning means I20 reaches thebutton D, discharged into the guideway I30 from the chute 80. The prongs I24 will engage the button D and slide it forwardly as the sliding member II3, moves forwardly. At I34 is shown a vertical pin which is momentarily engaged by one arm I 25 and oscillates the means I20 and the button so that the prongs I24 will move over the upturned face 42 of the button D and enter the holes thereof. Eventually, forward movement of the sliding member II3 will carry the button D to the position shown in Figure 24 but, just before the button reaches this position, the

same will be accurately positioned for sewing, but

. claws or clamps I42, one being shown particularly in Figure 19 and both in Figures 16 and 17. Intermediate the end of each leg MI is a cam I43 extending substantially normal I42 is a retraction coil spring I45 extending from one leg to the other and, extending through each clamp body is a set screw I46, so positioned that the free end of its shank points toward the left of the machine A. Since these legs I4I rock, it is apparent that the longitudinal axis of the set screws I49 describe arcs as the legs rock, and the positions of the free endsof these shanks will be, upon certain movements of the legs MI, in positions to be contacted, as the sliding member II3 moves forward, first by one of the radially-extending arms I25 of the button positioning means I20, and then by the other arm. I25 (time the. arms are not normally p sitioned with their longitudinal axis at right angle with the lanai:- tudinal axis of the elongated guideway I30). This. positions the button D for sewins. since. one arm I25, comes to rest against the shank ofone set screw I46 so as to position they holes-for entrance of the button-sewing needle. when the means I20 comes to rest. Asv the means I20 reaches a position in, which the buttonD- Kapositioned as shown in Figure, 24, the. means I120 will havev come to rest and the button D (and each preceding and following button D) will be positioned with its eyes or holes. disposed just like every other button, and the springsJM and I21 will urge the means I20 upwardly, but the button D will be held, by this time, by the clamps or claws I42, against movementof any kind. Con-1- sequently, it will not follow the means I20, which will now move backwardly (or to the left), carried by the sliding assembly (since the arm I01 had reached its farthest. movementto the right and commences its movement to the left).

Actuation of the legs I4'I is effected by the up and down movement of a substantially verticallydisposed jointed slide or generally wedge-shaped member I48 including an upper wide body-portion I49 shown particularly in Figure 20, and a lower, narrow body portion I50, shown particularly in Figure 21, hinged together by a conventional pintle or pin. The body portion I49 slides over the face I'5I (shown in Figure 23) of the support plate I40, as may be appreciated from Figures -16 and 17 and is held in position by a centering block I52 which extends across the upper open space I53 of the plate I40 and slidably engages the inner opposite faces of the vertical walls defining this space, for vertical sliding movement. The body portion I49 and block I52 may be secured together as by screws I54. The lower edges I55 ofthe portion I49. are shaped to substantially the shape of the cam surfaces I44 of the cams I43, and the cams engage these edges I55, as may be seen in Figure 16, when the slide I 48 is in one (lower) position. The portion I49 has substantially like side faces I58 to be abutted by the upper inwardly-extending ends I5I of the legs I4I when the slide I48 is in another (upper) position, as in Figure 1'7.

The body portion I50 is provided with downwardly and inwardly converging side, faces I58, terminating in a foot I59, wider than the lower end of the converging-faced section of this portion I50 so that a pair of shoulders I80 and a rounded surface |6I are provided. Aleafsprlng IE2 or the like is fixed to the portion I49 and bearing against. the portion I50, to yleldably restrain the portions against folding. However, as the slide I48 moves downwardly from its upper position, the head I59 rides over the cams I43, instead of actuating them, since the spring I62 will yield enough for this and, after the head I59 has descended beyond the cams I43, the former will snap back against the central portion I63 of the support I40. This is effected by slightly bevelling the outer surface at the beaks I64 of the cams I43. On the other hand, when the I slide I48 ascends, the shoulders I80 will abut the particularly in. Figure -8, when the button D is in position for clamping, the connecting pin 81 of Figure 7 has moved to the lower end of slot 88 and this action completes the action started by the, lift, lever 30.

The structure I40 to I65 inclusive is retained by a bracket I'I0 which is shown in Figure 1 and is a conventional attachment of many sewing machines. This bracket I'I0 arches under the L-shaped bracket 25 and is carried by the work support 21'. Downward movement of the slide I48: is effected by a bumper I'I3 carried by the conventional means for yieldably holding down cloth while being sewn, and .which is actuated (lowered)- by the foot pedal 38 by way of the rod 39 and lever 30. A retraction coil spring I14 carried at, one end by the upper portion of the supportv I40. and carried at its other end by the slide I48 normally urges the slide upwardly. Normally, the clamps I42 are urged toward each other by the spring I45.

Upon sewing the button D, the pressure upon the slide I48 is released, the legs I4I spread and the clamps I42 release the button and are positioned to again move toward each other to clamp the next button.

The power take an 23 from the drive means C to the hopper 20 and means 2| includes a second pulley I on the drive shaft of the motor 35 with a suitable belt I8I from it to a driven pulley I82, which may be upon a shaft I83 carried by a bearing I84 supported by the support bracket 25. The shaft I83 carries a worm gear I85 intermediate its ends. The end of the shaft I83, opposite the pulley end is splined to join the short shaft 59, as in Figure 6 and as previously mentioned. This effects rotation of the worm gear 55.

Housing the worm gear I85 is a gear housing I86 and enclosing a second worm gear I8I meshing with the gear I85. This gear I8! is mounted upon the shaft 98 carrying worm gear I88 at near its. other end which is housed in gear housing I89 and meshes with worm gear I90 carried by shaft I9I which extends to and mounts the brush 82'. Shaft I9I may be provided with the bearing I92. The end of shaft 98, adjacent its gear I88, mounts the clutch plate 91 as has been described.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that actuation of the foot pedal 38 effects several operations, i. e., it actuates the clutch 95 (which setsv in motion the means for positioning the buttons D in positions to be sewn and for delivering them to the clamps I42), and it also effects operation of the clamps I42. However, actuation of the pedal 38, does not afiect the operation of the brush 82 nor the means 2| to deliver the buttons right-side-up. On the other hand, the one power take off means 23 operates both means 2| and 22.

The feeding of the buttons D to the hold down means shown particularly in Figures 16 to 24 is timed by the arcuate slot 88in the rotating disc 89, the pin 8'! slidable longitudinally in this slot, and the slot 86 in the depending arm 85. This feeding is timed to take place while the reciprocating portions of the hold down means are at their highest point of'travel and while the sliding member I I3 is aligned with the hold down means to deliver a button. While the arm 85 is at its lowest point of travel, the link I03 is at its nearest point of travel toward the needle 29, the button D is delivered to the hold down means. The limited length of the slot 88 governs the hold down means so that it moves downward, disengaging the prongs I24 from the button, just before the 7 sliding member |I3 moves away from the needle.

' It will be'noted that, due to the spacer sections 61, the buttons are fed, with spaces between them, rather than in a row. Since the buttons are sewn rapidly, the passageway 80 will not become clogged, the mouth15 jammed nor a button become positioned half in and half out a depression 66.

The novel attachment may be combined with the conventional sewing machine without making any radical alterations in the construction of the latter and will quickly and efficiently feed buttons, right-side-up, and spaced apart, one from another, in proper position for sewing.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a button feeder, for buttons, each having a substantially fiat upper face and a convex under face, for association with means for affixing buttons to a support, a hopper; substantially circular walls defining apassageway extending from said hopper; a portion of said walls being integral with said hopper and another portion of said walls being separate from said hopper; means supporting said last-named portion of said walls, for rotation thereof; a gear housing; means securing said gear housing to said fixed wall portion; a row of radially-projecting gear teeth extending around the outer periphery of said rotatable wall portion; a worm gear within said gear housing and meshing with said gear teeth; a discharge Way having a mouth; and means for passage of said buttons, one by one, from said passageway to said discharge way, with all the discharged buttons flat-side up, including an outwardly flaring wall extending from the lastnamed portion of said passageway walls, said outwardly flaring wall having a plurality of spacedapart concavities, extending from said passageway to said discharge Way as they come opposite said mouth of said dischargeway upon rotation of said walls.

2. In a button feeder and positioner, for association with a sewing device, having a vertically reciprocating needle, said feeder and positioner including an inclined chute; means for feeding buttons to said chute from the upper end thereof; and means for moving buttons discharged from said chute and positioning the eyes thereof to be entered by said needle, including a slideway in communication With said chute, a sliding member, reciprocable in said' slideway, an elongated vibrating member carried by said sliding member at one end of said vibrating member, a headed member pivoted to the other end of said vibrating member, an eye-insertable prong carried by said headed member, a radially extending arm carried by said headed member, an arm extending laterally from said vibrating member, a cam positioned to momentarily contact and raise said second arm and vibrating member, when said second arm reaches said cam upon sliding movement of said sliding member, said cam being disposed along said slideway and adjacent said chute, and an abutment for said first arm, positioned adjacent said chute and on the side thereof remote from said cam.

3. In a button feeder and positioner, for association with a sewing device, having a vertically reciprocating needle, said feeder and positioner including an inclined chute; means for feeding buttons to said chute from the upper end thereof; and means for moving buttons dis-.

a slideway in communication with said chute, a sliding member, reciprocable in said slideway, an elongated vibrating member carried by said sliding member at one end of said vibrating member, a headed member. pivoted to the other end of said vibrating member, an eye-insertable prong carried by said headed member, a radiallyextending arm carried by said headed memberfa retraction coil spring extending longitudinally of said vibrating member, from said headed member to said sliding member, an arm extending laterally from said vibrating member, a cam positioned to momentarily contact and raise said second arm and vibrating member, when said second arm reaches said cam upon sliding movement of said sliding member, said cam being disposed along said slideway and adjacent-said chute, and an abutment for said first arm, positioned adjacent said chute and on the side thereof remote from said cam.

4. In a button feeder and positioner, for association with a sewing device, having a vertically reciprocating needle, said feeder and positioner including an inclined chute; means for feeding buttons to said chute from the upper end thereof; and means for moving buttons discharged from said chute and positioning the eyes thereof to be entered by said needle, including a slideway in communication with said chute, a sliding member, reciprocable in said slideway, an elongated vibrating member carried by said sliding member at one end of said vibrating member, a headed member pivoted to the other end of said vibrating member, an eye-insertable prong carried by said headed member, a radially-extending arm carried by said headed member, a hook secured to andextending upwardly from said sliding member and through said vibrating member, a retraction coil spring extending longitudinally of said vibrating member, secured at one of its ends to said headed member and secured at its other end to said hook, an arm extending laterally from said vibrating member, a cam positioned to momentarily contact and raise said second arm and vibrating member, when said second arm reaches said cam upon sliding movement of said sliding member, said cam being disposed along said slideway and adjacent said chute, and an abutment for said first arm, positioned adjacent said chute and on the side thereof remote from said cam.

5. In a button feeder and positioner, for association with a sewing device, including a vertically reciprocating needle, said feeder and positioner including an inclined button chute; and means for moving and positioning buttons discharged from said chute and positioning the eyes thereof to be entered by said needle, including an elongated slideway disposed substantially normal to said chute and in communication therewith, said slideway including a base, side walls and inwardly extending flanges at the upper ends of said side walls, a sliding member in said slideway, an elongated member of resilient material carried at one end by said sliding member and extending longitudinally thereof and provided with an arm extending transversely thereof and over one of said flanges, said elongated member having a slot at its free end, a prong-carrying member, including an upper head portion, a neck portion extending into said slot and a base portion provided with button eye-engaging prongs extending downwardly from said base portion, a retraction coil spring extending from said head portion, longitudinally of said elongated member and secured to said sliding member, an arm extending radially from said head portion, a cam extending upwardly from said one of said flanges over which said transversely-extending arm extends and in a position to be contacted by said radially-extending arm, said cam being disposed closely adjacent said chute, and an abutment for said radially-extending arm, positioned adjacent said chute and on the side thereof remote from said earn.

'6. In a button feeder and positioner, for association with a sewing device, including a vertically reciprocating needle, said feeder and positioner including an inclined button chute; and means for moving and positioning buttons discharged from said chute and positioning the eyes thereof to be entered by said needle, including an elongated slideway disposed substantially normal to said chute and in communication therewith, said slideway including a base, side walls and inwardly extending flanges at the upper ends of said side walls, a sliding member in said s'lideway, an elongated member of resilient material carried at one end by said sliding member and extending longitudinally thereof and provided with an arm extending transversely thereof and over one of said flanges, said elongated member having a slot at its free end, a prongca-rr-ying member, including an upper head portion, a neck portion extending into said slot and a base portion provided with button eye-engaging prongs extending downwardly from said base portion, a retract-ion coil spring extending from said head portion, longitudinally of said elongated member and secured to said sliding member, an arm extending radially from said head portion, a cam extending upwardly from said one of said flanges over which said first arm extends and in a position to be contacted by said first arm, said cam being disposed closely adjacent said chute, an abutment for said second arm, positioned adjacent said chute and on the side thereof remote from said cam, and a button clamp adjacent said .abuizment and needle.

fl. .In a button positioner tor association with a sewing machine having a vertically reciprocating needle, said positioner including means for orienting the eyes of said button with respect to said needle, means for positioning said button under said needle and means for :clamping said button, as oriented and positioned, including a support, a pair of legs pivoted thereto, a clamp at the lower portion of each leg .and a cam carried by each leg intermediate its ends, one cam extending toward the other .and havin a sloping :upper surface and a normallysubstantially horizontally disposed lower surface, a retraction coil spring extending from .leg to leg above said clamps, a wedge-shaped member slidably vertically over said support, comprising an upper portion having a pair of sloping lower surfaces engaged by said first-named sloping surfaces, and a lower portion hinged to said upper portion, said lower portion having a foot provided with a pair of substantially horizontally-disposed surfaces engaged by said first-named horizontally disposed surfaces, and a rounded surface, and resilient means, normally urging said lower portion against said support and in the same vertical plane as the vertical plane of said upper portion.

WILLIAM R. McDANIEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 602,804 Hardenhrook Apr. 19, 1898 1,270,594 Brell June 25, 1918 1,599,146 Ross Sept. 7, 1926 1,631,160 Ross June 7, 1927 2,337,181 Burkey Dec. 21, 1943 

